Plug switch



Jan. 7, 1930. vM TlsCHLER 1,742,834

PLUG 'SWITCH Filed April ,6, 1928 NGULATwN' Patented y.l an. 7, 1930 UNITED sTATEs IAX TISCHLER, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO REFLEX ENGINEERING COR- PATENT. OFFICE i IPORATION, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY PLUG SWITCH Application led April 6, 1928. Serial No. 267,844.

This invention relates to multiple parallel circuit couplings, and especially to devices of the block type wherein two pairs of stranded conductors, each pair being respectively positive and negative, are operatively engageable with mating conductors in a similar block, such structure being commercially known as four contact attachment plugs, as used on Vitaphone outfits, etc., etc.

Although devices for like purposes are well known, their construction is often such as to be unwieldy, heavy, prone to accidental separation and may transmit current to the hand of an operator in maneuvering the same.

Having these matters in mind, it is one of the objects of the present invention Ato provide an electrical coupling of the type described that is compact, light in weight and easily handled by a novice without danger of receiving current or the possibility of creating a short circuit at any of the terminals.

A further feature is vin the provision of means whereby each terminal contact is completely embeded in a block of dielectric material, provision being made for positively anchoring each terminal and for conducting current to the anchorage elements.

Another aim is to provide a spring clip for each terminal having a tendency to draw the mating parts into intimate relation and re sisting separationl except upon the applica-- tion of considerable force.

These and other advantageous objects are accomplished by the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, constituting an important portion of this disclosure, and in which Figure 1 is a plan v iew of an embodimen of the invention, showing the parts in opera,- tive position, the anchorage cover plates being omitted. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but

showing the blocks separated.

Figure 4 is a view similar to' Figure 2 with the blocks spaced apart as in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end view of the block shown in the left hand portion of Figure 4.

Figure. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sec-l pair of the smooth outer faces adapted to abut when in operative position. TheA rear portions 17 and 18 of the blocks are reduced in thickness at the top and bottoms and are tight fitted between flanges 19 extending from metal caps 20, aluminum being preferred, these caps having extending hubs 21 provided with clamps 22 to hold the entered cables 23-2324-24' in place. v

The clamps 22, are provided with binding screws 25, and the caps areiheld to the block i elements 17 18 by screws 26, as entities.

It is preferred in practice to form the blocks in two sections, the same being firmly held together by screws 27 passing through` their forward portions and pairs of screws 28 throu'gh the rear portions.

These rear portions 17-18 contain transverse recesses 29-30, joined at the center by longitudinal recesses131-32 which register withl openings in the hubs 21 .to admit entrance ofthe cables which are stranded, as at 23, 23h, 24, and 24b and their ends held in electrical engagement with screws 33-34 and ings 40-,41 whichfextend -into the recesses' 29-.30, and which are covered by insulatingplates 42-43,. the same being level with the forward ortion of the blocks 1'5-16, as best seen' 1n igure 6, these plates being held in position by screws en aging in openings 44.l V Tightly fitted to eacn opening 41 is a metalplug 45 xntaining an axial opening 46 with -which in rsects a transverse recess 47. The s inreaching end of the plug isattened on the upper side, as at 448, and drilled to receive a clamp screw 34, which,as has been noted, is in electrical engagement with one of the branches or strands of a conductor, thus conm stituting a firm and efficient anchorage. Set in--a longitudinal slot inthe upper side ofthe plug is a spring arm 49 secured in any preferred manner near ts innermost end, the .opposite end being down bent to produce a 15 -detent 50,', reaching into the recess 47 and A I slightl into the bore 46. In t e opening 40 is set a similar plug 51- having a flattened extensionf52 at its inner end -held by the screw 36. At the front end of A 20 the plunger is a' projection 53 suited to neatly f fit the opening 46 and provided with'anannular recess 54; registrable with the recess 47, to receive the detent 5,0 which is arranged to make Contact referahly with'the front edge 25 ef the recess, t us drawing the plugs towards each other and preventing separation unless A. considerable force be used. 5 a A vYVhile certain' preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it $0 will be understood that changes in they form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereovf'may be made without departing from p the scope of the invention as defined in the appended'cl'aim. v 4- f l '35' Having -thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is :-v` A plug switch,`comprising :a pair of blocks of dlelectricmaterial, each block having a 40 transverse recess and a pair; of axial passages communicating therewith, metal sockets fitted inthe axial passages of one of the blocks, each of said sockets having an axial recess, means for securingwthe sockets tothe block, a flat 45 spring detent secured to each socket, said detenta projecting into the axial recesses of .the sockets, cylindrical plugs carried .in the axial passagesothe-other block, each of said d f' plugs having a reduced portion adapted to be l received in an' axial recess of the socket, each of the reduced ortions of the lugs having a crcumferentia recessl adap A to cooperate with a detentito hold the two blocks together, said'irst block having a recess'in its l'aoefa f guide pin on the second block adapted to enter .the recess to assist in-holding the blocks in a predetermined sition, and lmetal,caps-partiallylsuljoundmg the dielectridblocks `s s ci'ication signed this. thirty-first .many-0f' rch,'192s. t. MAXYTISCHLER. 

